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After a long speculation spell, SASB cancels Amarnath yatra

| New Delhi |

This year's Amarnath Yatra has been cancelled amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), the decision-making body regarding the pilgrimage, was slated to hold a meeting on Tuesday and take a final decision on the same.
"Based upon the circumstances, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board decided that it is not advisable to hold and conduct this year�s Shri Amarnathji Yatra and expressed its regret to announce the cancellation of Yatra 2020," Raj Bhavan, Government of Jammu and Kashmir said.
The decision has finally put an end to the speculation surrounding the annual pilgrimage. Days ago, the
Supreme Court had quashed a plea seeking direction to the Centre, Jammu and Kashmir administration and SASB to suspend this year's Amarnath Yatra in view of COVID-19.
"We cannot enter the arena of the Executive. We have to respect the principle of separation of powers," the apex court had said during the hearing on the matter.
�Issue a writ/order/direction in the nature of mandamus, directing the Respondents to restrict the access of the general public/devotees/pilgrims for the Shri Amarnath Yatra 2020, in view of the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic or Issue a writ/order/direction in the nature of mandamus, directing the Respondents to provide for live darshan of the Lord Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine by way of the internet and the television, so that there can be access to crores of people across the country," the petition had said.
There were reports that Amarnath Yatra would be beginning from July 21 and would be conducted in a staggered manner. There were also speculations that not more than 500 pilgrims would be allowed to visit the shrine daily due to the COVID-19 situation. Reports had also suggested that there were terror threats during this year's Amarnath Yatra.
"There are inputs that they (terrorists) would try their best to target the yatra. NH-44 continues to be sensitive because that is the route that the yatris would take to go up to the northern routes," Brigadier VS Thakur, Commander, 2 Sector had said.